If you’re looking at treatment options for asthma or certain conditions related to allergies, you may want to learn more about Nucala.

Nucala is a prescription drug that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults and some children:

It’s also used to treat the following conditions in adults:

Nucala is an injection you receive under your skin. It comes in three forms: a liquid in a prefilled syringe, a liquid in an autoinjector, and a powder that’s mixed with sterile water before injection. A healthcare professional may give you these injections. Or your doctor may show you how to give yourself these injections at home.

The active ingredient in Nucala is mepolizumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Keep reading for details on Nucala and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Nucala, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Nucala injections can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on whether you give yourself injections. If a healthcare professional gives you your dose, you may have to pay for your appointments to receive Nucala.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Nucala, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Nucala. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Nucala in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Nucala requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Nucala requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Nucala and cost.

What is the cost per month for Nucala injections with insurance and without insurance?

If you don’t have insurance, your cost per month for Nucala injections will likely be higher than if you have insurance.

If you have insurance, ask your insurance provider what you’ll pay for Nucala. Otherwise, your doctor or pharmacist can give you information about the price of Nucala. They may also be able to suggest ways to help save on the drug’s cost.

For a few financial assistance resources, see the “Can I get help paying for Nucala?” section below. These resources may help you find options for lowering your price for Nucala, regardless of whether you have insurance.

Is the cost of Nucala autoinjectors different from prefilled syringes?

It’s possible. The cost of the Nucala autoinjector may be different from the Nucala prefilled syringes. And if you have insurance, your plan may only cover one form or the other.

For information about the cost difference between the autoinjector and prefilled syringe forms of Nucala, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you need help covering the cost of Nucala or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Nucala is a biologic medication, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It only comes as a brand-name drug, so it does not have a biosimilar version. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.)

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

The drugmaker of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you take Nucala long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Nucala if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Nucala. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Nucala. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you still have questions about the cost of Nucala, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Nucala.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will the form I take of Nucala affect my cost?
  • Are there other lower-cost drugs that could treat my condition?
  • What options do I have if I can’t pay for my medication?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.